Employment

Under the direction of the Fire Chief, or his/her designee a Thomas Township Fire Fighter controls and extinguishes fires, protects life and property, and maintains equipment.

The Thomas Township Fire Department is an equal opportunity employer. As such, all persons are eligible for employment as paid on call firefighters without regard to race, color, creed, sex or national origin. Additionally, persons employed will not be subject to discrimination, harassment or inappropriate treatment with respect to their race, color, creed, sex or national origin as outlined in specific Federal, State of Michigan or local law ordinance.

The Application Process…

The following steps shall be taken in examining an applicant’s qualifications for employment as a paid on call firefighter:

Complete an application form and submit to the Public Safety Office, 8215 Shields Drive. This includes copying driver’s license and proof of automobile insurance and your signature on a background record check permission form.

All applicants must participate in an interview conducted by the Fire Chief, Assistant Chief, and Township Manager. The interview will be for the purpose of discussing the applicant’s background, qualifications, employment history, understanding of job responsibilities of this position and other matters relevant to employment.

Once you successfully complete the initial pre-employment process, you will be offered a conditional offer of employment contingent upon the successful completion of the following:

Successfully complete a basic reading test.

A satisfactory background check conducted for criminal record, driving record, and personal history.

A satisfactory driving record.

Pass an agility test.

Pass a physical exam and drug screen.

All persons employed as on call Firefighters are required to complete within 24 months1. Michigan Firefighter Training Council – Firefighter I2. Michigan Department of Public Health – Medical First Responder

Training begins

What Are the Minimum Requirements?

Must be physically able to perform the duties of a firefighter as required by the Department and as determined by the Department’s designated medical examiner. Must have a valid driver’s license and be able to pass a driving skills test. Must be subject to a review of their driver’s license status on a annual basis. Must be alcohol and drug free and able to test negative on an annual basis.

Must be able to pass physical agility tests when administered and as required.

Must be insurable under the guidelines established by the Township’s liability insurance carrier.

Must possess and/or be able to acquire firefighter certification as mandated by the State of Michigan Fire Fighters Training Council.

Must have and continue to maintain a good driving record in accordance with department policy. A valid Michigan driver’s license is required for initial employment and must be maintained while an employee.

Must be at least eighteen (18) years of age.

The applicant must provide proof of High School graduation or G.E.D. Equivalency. Must be able to speak, read, write, understand and comprehend English for purpose of performing the multiple communication functions of the job’s duties and responsibilities, and for the purpose of completing and/or following and/or applying all directives, manuals, logs, reports and other communications pertaining to employment.

Must have the ability to acquire and to use specialized fire fighting knowledge, techniques and practices, and a mechanical aptitude.

Must have independent reliable source of transportation to the fire station upon receiving the alarm signal. Must report for work when called, in a fit, mental and physical condition in order to perform job duties and assigned tasks. This includes willingness and ability to participate in training and development activities.

Must have a workable telephone in personal residence at all times.

Must be able and willing to work cooperatively and effectively within the structure of team approach concept, and/or individual initiative concept.

Must have the ability to work well with other individuals, be pleasant, congenial, and able to remain calm and courteous in relationship with other personnel, management and the public.

Must be self-motivated and be able to perform job duties independent of and without direct supervisory assistance and/or direction.

Must be able to work well and to perform work efficiently and productively under pressure, which may be caused by having to face critical and unexpected situations.

Must not have any facial hair or any hair which interferes with the seals on breathing apparatus, or cause the seals to improperly seat tightly against the face. The employee must be cleaned shaven in the area of the sealing surface of the respirator. Facial hair that could interfere with the operation of the inlet or exhaust valves of the respirator will not be allowed.

All firefighters are subject, at all times, to the provisions of the Fire Department Rules and Regulations, Policy and Procedures Manual and any amendments, additions, deletions, and/or other revisions hereto.

Training – Physical Requirements

Very heavy work involving the lifting of objects in excess of 100 pounds with frequent lifting and/or carrying objects weighing 50 pounds or more. Work requires the physical ability to do all of the following:

Climbing:

Involving the ascending or descending of ladders, stairs, scaffolding, ramps, poles, and the like, using the feet and legs and/or hands and arms.

Balancing:

Involves the maintenance of body equilibrium to prevent falling when walking, standing, crouching, or running on narrow, slippery, or erratically moving surfaces.

Stooping:

Involves bending the body downward and forward by bending the spine at the waist.

Kneeling:

Involves bending the legs at the knees to come to rest on the knee or knees.

Crouching:

Involves bending the body downward and forward by bending the legs and knees.

Crawling:

Involves extending the hands and arms in any direction.

Handling:

Seizing, holding, grasping, turning, or otherwise working with hand and hands (fingering not involved).

Fingering:

Picking, pinching, or otherwise working with the fingers primarily (rather than with the whole or arm as in handling).

Feeling:

Perceiving such attributes of objects and materials as size, shape, temperature, or texture, by means or receptors in hands.

Talking and/or Hearing:

Involves talking and expressing or exchanging ideas by of the spoken word, and hearing or perceiving the nature of sounds by ear.

Seeing:

Involves obtaining the impressions through the eyes of the shape, size, distance, motion, color, or other characteristics of objects. The major visual functions are:

1) Acuity, far-clarity of vision of 20 feet or more. Acuity, near-clarity of vision at 20 inches or less with or without correctable lenses.

2) Depth perception – three dimensional vision. The ability to judge the distance and space relationships so as to see objects where and as they actually are.

3) Field of vision – the area that can be seen up and down or to the right or left while the eyes are fixed on a given point.

4) Accommodation – adjustment of the lens of the eye to bring an object into sharp focus.

The use of arms and hands is required in reaching, handling, fingering, and/or feeling, writing, operating office equipment, visual functions include acuity, far and near, depth perception, field of vision, accommodation and color vision.

Environmental Conditions of the Job

Extremes of cold plus temperature changes: Variations in temperature which are sufficiently marked and abrupt to cause noticeably bodily reactions.

Wet and humid: Contact with water or other liquids. Atmospheric condition with moisture content sufficiently high to cause marked bodily discomfort.

Noise and vibration: Sufficient noise, either constant or intermittent, to cause marked distraction or possible injury to the sense of hearing and/or sufficient vibration (production of an oscillating movement or strain on the body or its extremities from repeated motion or shock) to cause bodily harm if endured day after day.

Hazards: Situations in which the individual is exposed to the definite risk of bodily injury.

Fumes, odors, toxic conditions, dust, and poor ventilation:

a) Fumes – smoky or vaporous exhalations, usually odorous, thrown off as the result of combustion or chemical reaction.

b) Odors – noxious smells, either toxic or non-toxic.

c) Toxic Conditions – exposure to toxic dust, fumes, gases, vapors, mists, or liquids which cause general or localized disabling condition as a result of inhalation or action of the skin.

d) Dust – air filled with small particles of any kind and inorganic silica and asbestos.

e) Poor ventilation – insufficient movement of air causing a feeling of suffocation; or exposure to drafts.

Equipment and Material Used

Use of an axe, crowbar, gasoline powered saw, and other various types of power or manual equipment.